Onion Sambar Recipe | Vengaya Sambar Recipe

Onion Sambar Recipe / Vengaya Sambar Recipe with step by step pictures and a short Youtube video. If you like my video, please share it and don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to my channel. This sambar is more or less similar to the ‘Arachuvitta Sambar‘ but I have not used coconut here. We use only shallots / small onions / pearl onions, which lends such an awesome taste and flavour to the sambar. If we don’t have any other veggies in the refrigerator, then this sambar is a perfect choice and if we prepare it small quantity also, it yields more, just some hot rice and Koozh Vathal is enough to have a hearty meal. If interested, check my other recipes, where I have used shallots alone like Ulli Theeyal, Puli Kuzhambu, Onion Chutney etc…

Check my other Sambar Recipes like

1. Kerala Sambar
2. Drumstick Sambar
3. Kadhamba / Festive Sambar
4. Okra / Lady’s Finger Sambar
5. Mixed Vegetable Sambar

Vengaya Sambar Recipe for Idli

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Onion Sambar Recipe | Vengaya Sambar Recipe

Prep Time

10 mins

Cook Time

30 mins

Total Time

40 mins

 

Onion Sambar Recipe / Vengaya Sambar Recipe is more or less similar to the 'Arachuvitta Sambar' but I have not used coconut here. We use only shallots / small onions / pearl onions, which lends flavour to the sambar.

Course: Kuzhambu Varieties

Cuisine: South Indian, Tamilnadu, South Indian

Keyword: Onion Sambar Recipe, Vengaya Sambar Recipe

Servings: 4 People

Author: Priya Santhamohan

Ingredients

• 1/2 Cup Toor Dal / துவரம்பருப்பு
• 1.5 Cups Shallots / Small Onion / சின்ன வெங்காயம்
• 1/4 tsp Turmeric Powder / மஞ்சள்தூள்
• 1 tsp Sambar Powder / சாம்பார் தூள் Link for Sambar Powder
• Salt / உப்பு As Required
• 1 Small Goosebery Sized Tamarind / புளி
• Jaggery / வெல்லம்
• Few Coriander Leaves / கொத்தமல்லி இலை

To Roast & Grind

• 2 tsp Oil / எண்ணெய்
• 2 tsp Channa Dal / கடலைப்பருப்பு
• 2 tsp Coriander Powder / தனியாதூள்
• 1 tsp Jeera / ஜீரகம்
• 1.5 tsp Urad Dal / உளுத்தம்பருப்பு
• 1/2 tsp Methi Seeds / வெந்தயம்
• 1/4 tsp Hing / பெருங்காயம்
• 5 to 6 Red Chilli / வரமிளகாய்

To Temper

• 1/2 tbsp Ghee / நெய்
• 1 tsp Mustard Seeds / கடுகு
• 1/2 tsp Jeera / ஜீரகம்
• 1 Generous Pinch Hing / பெருங்காயம்
• 1 Sprig Curry Leaves / கருவேப்பில்லை

Instructions

1. First, measure and keep all the ingredients ready. Then, peel the skin of pearl onions and chop the tomato roughly.
2. Pressure cook 1/2 cup Toor Dal with 2 cups of water for 3 whistles. Once the pressure subsides, mash the dal and keep aside. Then soak tamarind in water for 20 minutes, extract tamarind water and discard the pulp. Heat 1 tsp of oil in a pan and dry roast all the ingredients listed in the table 'To Roast and Grind'.
3. Roast the ingredients without burning it. Once it cools down, transfer it to a mixer.

4. Grind it to a semi - coarse powder. Heat ghee/oil in a pan and temper with the ingredients given in the table 'To Temper'.

5. Add the shallots, tomato and saute well, till it turns translucent.

6. Pour the pressure cooked dal water. Then add turmeric powder, required salt and sambar powder. Mix well and cook for about 5 to 6 minutes till the onions turn soft.

7. Add the ground spice powder, give a quick mix and boil for another 2 minutes. Now, pour the mashed dal.
8. Boil for another 3 minutes in low flame, so the dal and the spice powder blends well. Switch off the flame, add jaggery and garnish with coriander leaves.

9. Serve this Vengaya Sambar Recipe with Soft Idli.

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

Tips for Vengaya Sambar Recipe

1. Use pearl onions only and don't reduce the quantity of the onions, as there will be a difference in the taste.
2. Don’t burn the ingredients when roasting, else the sambar tastes bitter and smells bad.
3. Always grind the roasted ingredients little coarsely for a nice texture.
4. Use ghee or sesame oil only for tempering which lends an excellent aroma to the Vengaya Sambar Recipe.
5. Don’t add the tamarind water before the shallots are cooked.
6. Jaggery can be added at last, which enhances the taste of the Onion Sambar Recipe.
7. This sambar thickens with time, so adjust water accordingly before serving.

Onion Sambar Recipe

Method for Onion Sambar Recipe

1. First, measure and keep all the ingredients ready. Then, peel the skin of pearl onions and chop the tomato roughly.
   
   2. Pressure cook 1/2 cup Toor Dal with 2 cups of water for 3 whistles. Once the pressure subsides, mash the dal and keep aside. Then soak tamarind in water for 20 minutes, extract tamarind water and discard the pulp. Heat 1 tsp of oil in a pan and dry roast all the ingredients listed in the table ‘To Roast and Grind‘.
   
   3. Roast the ingredients without burning it. Once it cools down, transfer it to a mixer.
   
   4. Grind it to a semi – coarse powder. Heat ghee/oil in a pan and temper with the ingredients given in the table ‘To Temper‘.
   
   5. Add the shallots, tomato and saute well, till it turns translucent.
   
   6. Pour the pressure cooked dal water. Then add turmeric powder, required salt and sambar powder. Mix well and cook for about 5 to 6 minutes till the onions turn soft.
   
   7. Add the ground spice powder, give a quick mix and boil for another 2 minutes. Now, pour the tamarind extract and mashed dal.
   
   8. Boil for another 3 minutes in low flame, so the dal and the spice powder blends well. Switch off the flame, add jaggery and garnish with coriander leaves.
   
   Serve this Vengaya Sambar Recipe with Soft Idli.

Chinna Vengaya Sambar Recipe